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A makeshift memorial at the Surrey SFU campus honours murdered student Maple Batalia. Dec. 21, 2011. (CTV) Roseleen Batalia says a memorial bursary in the name of her murdered sister Maple will give her family some peace. Dec. 21, 2011. (CTV) Emergency crews try to revive Maple Batalia at a parking garage at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus early Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Maple Batalia, 19, was shot to death in Surrey, B.C. (Flickr) Maple Batalia, 19, was shot to death in Surrey, B.C. (Flickr) Maple Batalia, 19, was shot to death in Surrey, B.C. (Flickr)

Memorial bursary to honour slain student Maple Batalia

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Bhinder Sajan on the Maple Batalia bursary
Three months after aspiring actress Maple Batalia was gunned down in a Surrey parking lot, her family is setting up an educational bursary in her honour.

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A makeshift memorial at the Surrey SFU campus honours murdered student Maple Batalia. Dec. 21, 2011. (CTV) Roseleen Batalia says a memorial bursary in the name of her murdered sister Maple will give her family some peace. Dec. 21, 2011. (CTV) Emergency crews try to revive Maple Batalia at a parking garage at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus early Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Maple Batalia, 19, was shot to death in Surrey, B.C. (Flickr) Maple Batalia, 19, was shot to death in Surrey, B.C. (Flickr) Maple Batalia, 19, was shot to death in Surrey, B.C. (Flickr)

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A makeshift memorial at the Surrey SFU campus honours murdered student Maple Batalia. Dec. 21, 2011. (CTV)

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Date: Wed. Dec. 21 2011 8:31 PM ET

Three months after aspiring actress Maple Batalia was gunned down in a Surrey parking lot, her family is setting up an educational bursary in her honour.

The 19-year-old was shot dead on Sept. 28 near the Surrey campus of Simon Fraser University, putting an end to her dreams of becoming a doctor.

Now the Batalia family wants to help another student reach his or her goals with a memorial bursary dedicated in Maple's honour.

"It gives my mom a little bit of peace and my dad a little bit of peace, and we hope that Maple's looking down and she's proud," sister Roseleen Batalia told CTV News.

The family has kick-started the fundraising drive with a $10,000 donation, and they hope to eventually raise $50,000. Details about contributing are on the "RIP Maple Batalia" Facebook page.

A tribute to Maple set up at SFU still has fresh flowers on display, and there are plans for a more permanent memorial across the street. Surrey City Councillor Barinder Rasode says the commemorative display will include art, a bench and a maple tree.

"Maple was one of those individuals that was really good at whatever she did, whether it was [as] a straight-A science student, an artist, a model, an actress, a daughter, a friend. Really, we want the iconic piece to resemble that part of her life," Rasode said.

Police have yet to arrest or even name a suspect in the murder, leaving the Batalia family with many unanswered questions and a gaping hole in their lives.

"The person who did this one, they have to see us -- without Maple it's really hard for us to live," mother Sarbjit Batalia said.

In October, detectives released surveillance footage of a suspect vehicle seen driving from the site of the murder shortly after the killing. Cameras captured a white, late-model Dodge Charger with a sunroof near the SFU campus.

The Batalias are asking for anyone with information about that car or the murder to contact police.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Bhinder Sajan

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